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Programme Note

Are three short piano movements which share the same name as a similar group of pieces by Samuel Barber. There is also an obvious link with Gershwin’s Three Preludes for piano. Each movement is structurally and stylistically very different. The first has a heavily syncopated first subject and a tender second theme; the second movement is much freer with a blues-like feel. The finale follows a jazz form more closely; extemporaneous variations or ‘verses’ which build up tension before ending and unexpected and humorous way.